Legal Fellow

Job Overview:

Lawyers for Children is seeking a dedicated attorney to join our Immigration Rights Project as a Legal Fellow focused on the representation of children, adolescents, and young adults in Special Immigrant Juvenile Rights (SIJS) and related proceedings in the New York City Family Court. The Fellowship Attorney will join the existing Immigration Rights Project at LFC, currently comprised of a Project Director, Project Attorney, and two Project Social Workers. A Social Work Fellow will join the project in tandem with the Legal Fellow. This is a full-time, one-year fellowship subject to extension upon satisfactory performance and the availability of additional fellowship funding.

About LFC: Lawyers for Children provides direct legal representation of clients ages newborn to 21 in the New York Family Court in neglect and abuse, foster care, custody and visitation, orders of protection, guardianship, termination of parental rights, adoption, youth justice, immigration, and related proceedings. Lawyers For Children attorneys work alongside our social workers as a team. Duties include client interviews, investigation, trial preparation/strategy, preparation of legal memos and motions, general courtroom advocacy in trials/colloquy, and oral advocacy as necessary for case conferences and case follow-up.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active NYS bar membership
• Two to four years post-admission experience required, which must include representing immigrant youth in Family Court and/or Federal Immigration Court matters, and direct experience with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases.
• Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children and youth
• Commitment to interdisciplinary practice of law using an attorney-social worker team model
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and in exigent situations.
• Well-organized, motivated, creative and independent
• Able to deliver inclusive, culturally attuned services rooted in antiracist principles and equity-driven practices for clients, colleagues, courts and the child welfare system
• Strong courtroom presence and the confidence to advocate assertively, even in challenging situations, while maintaining professionalism
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, and interviewing skills
• Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.

Specific Responsibilities:

The primary role of the Legal Fellow is to provide direct legal representation of clients ages newborn to 21 in the New York City Family Court in SIJS and other related proceedings. The majority of cases are initiated and completed in Manhattan Family Court, with the possibility of appearing in other boroughs if there has been a transfer.

• Client Advocacy: Interview clients and advocate for their wishes, using age-appropriate language and trauma-informed skills.
• Courtroom Advocate: Engage in all aspects of litigation in SIJS and related proceedings, which may include child protective, custody, guardianship, family offense, and related proceedings, including intake, client interviews, motion practice, negotiations, court appearances, witness preparation, hearings and trials.
• Caseload Management: Maintain a substantial caseload while communicating regularly with social work team partners to best advocate for client positions, including regular entry of Court Updates into the Case Management System.
• Weekly intake of SIJS and related Family Court Cases.
• SIJS Family Court cases will be assigned and caseloads will be managed by supervisors upon referral by the court.
• Professional Development: Attend required, relevant trainings and satisfy all CLE requirements.
• Meet regularly for supervision
• Represent LFC on relevant court and Bar Association committees and/or work groups when appropriate.
• Team Collaboration: Attend general staff and staff attorney meetings.
• Consultation: As a member of the Immigration Rights Project, the Fellow will provide consultation on SIJS cases and related matters for attorneys and social workers in the office.
• Policy Updates: Engage with immigration resources to obtain updates that are relevant to LFC’s clients and participate in policy updates for LFC staff. Assist with policy advocacy when appropriate under the supervision of the Leadership and Executive teams.
• Project Collaboration: Collaborate with the Project Director and Project Attorney on case discussions and the distribution of case consults. Participate in Project meetings and Project trainings for staff and/or interns.

Benefits:

LFC prioritizes the overall wellbeing of our team by offering a comprehensive benefit package designed to enhance your well-being, work-life balance and growth.

Salary Range: $82,573 - $89,565, based on date of admission to the bar, experience and qualifications.

Hybrid Schedule: LFC’s legal and social work staff are expected to work from the office, in court, or in the community a minimum of two-days per week, and as needed to effectively fulfill their responsibilities. This position requires a flexible schedule, wherein the fellow is available to work from the office 2-5 days a week, as required by their caseload, in order to attend in-person court appearances, meet with clients, etc. This includes the availability to work from the office unexpectedly and on short notice, when SIJS proceedings are assigned that require the fellow’s expedited in-office presence. However, it is anticipated that the position will allow for opportunities to work remotely on days when those constraints are not present.

Health & Dental Coverage: Employer-paid Health and Dental benefits to support you and your family. Optional Vision, FSA accounts and Commuter benefits available.

Generous Paid Time Off: Ample holiday, personal, vacation, sick and bereavement days.

Parental Leave: LFC provides 12 weeks of employer-paid parental leave, with the opportunity for up to 26 weeks of leave to support a growing family.*

Retirement Package: LFC contributes 5% of salary to your retirement plan, without the requirement for an employee match, helping you build a secure future. LFC also offers a retirement plan to which employees can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax basis.*

Insurance Benefits: Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long-Term Disability coverage.*

Loan Forgiveness: Lawyers For Children is a 501(3)(c) organization which qualifies employment for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.*

• Subject to eligibility

LFC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal opportunities for employment and advancement to all employees and applicants. This commitment includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment in relation to hiring, training, placement, and employee development, promotion, transfer, compensation, and separation from employment. As an equal opportunity employer, LFC hires and promotes individuals on the basis of their qualifications for the position for which they have applied.

Benefits:

LFC prioritizes the overall wellbeing of our team by offering a comprehensive benefit package designed to enhance your well-being, work-life balance and growth.

Salary Range: $82,573 - $89,565, based on date of admission to the bar, experience and qualifications.

Hybrid Schedule: LFC’s legal and social work staff are expected to work from the office, in court, or in the community a minimum of two-days per week, and as needed to effectively fulfill their responsibilities. This position requires a flexible schedule, wherein the fellow is available to work from the office 2-5 days a week, as required by their caseload, in order to attend in-person court appearances, meet with clients, etc. This includes the availability to work from the office unexpectedly and on short notice, when SIJS proceedings are assigned that require the fellow’s expedited in-office presence. However, it is anticipated that the position will allow for opportunities to work remotely on days when those constraints are not present.

Health & Dental Coverage: Employer-paid Health and Dental benefits to support you and your family. Optional Vision, FSA accounts and Commuter benefits available.

Generous Paid Time Off: Ample holiday, personal, vacation, sick and bereavement days.

Parental Leave: LFC provides 12 weeks of employer-paid parental leave, with the opportunity for up to 26 weeks of leave to support a growing family.*

Retirement Package: LFC contributes 5% of salary to your retirement plan, without the requirement for an employee match, helping you build a secure future. LFC also offers a retirement plan to which employees can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax basis.*

Insurance Benefits: Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Long-Term Disability coverage.*

Loan Forgiveness: Lawyers For Children is a 501(3)(c) organization which qualifies employment for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.*

• Subject to eligibility